The moves by the bank cover:  

• It will now use 100% of income from second jobs, where it has been received for at least 12 months. Previously, it had used 50% of income and needed two years of employment history  
• It now only needs to see a contractor’s contract renewal if there’s less than one month left on it. Previously, this was three months.  
• Workers on probation now only need a copy of their contract, plus a payslip, to prove their job is permanent. Previously, the bank required either proof of two years’ employment, or an employer’s letter  

Virgin Money head of secured lending Craig Calder says: “We constantly look for ways to improve our mortgage business and the latest changes to our lending policy will make it easier to get a mortgage with Virgin Money.   

“The application process for contractors or those who are in a probationary period in a new role will be far simpler, and we’re able to say yes to more customers who have income from a second job.”